High pressure gas dispensing system



June 9, 1942. JQJ. SHANLEY 2,235,686

' HIGH PRESSURE GAS DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 19, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheetl I E 7- x FIG. 2 36 33 33 I 32 Patented Jun\,9, 1942 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE HIGH PRESSURE GAS DISPENSING SYSTEM James J. Shanley,Bartlesville, kla., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, acorporation of Delaware ApplicationFebruary 19, 1940, Serial No. 319,78624 Claims. (Cl. 62-4 The present invention relates to improvements indevices for automatically changing withdrawal connections from onesource of high pressure gas to another upon decrease inpressure in thefirst source.

Liquefied petroleum gas, such as propane, butane, or a mixture of thetwo, is now being marketed extensively in tanks or cylinders. In makinguse of this liquefied gas for operating gas consuming appliances, suchas domestic gas ranges, it is customary to provide the customer with twocontainerswithsome means of connecting them to a service line through asuitable arrangement of 'valves and pressure regulators. The usualprocedure is to use one of the to the accompanying drawings whichconstitute a part of-this specification, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section of the changeover device. s

Figure 2 is a view in cross section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged view in cross section of the spring retainer andunlatching mechanism.

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of the sleeve and unlatching mechanism.7 e

Figure 5 is a view in vertical section of a modiiication.

cylinders as the active source of the gas supply, keeping the othercylinder as a reserve source until the first cylinder is exhausted. Itisthen necessary to cut oil the exhausted source and establish connectionwith the reserve source. In

prior practice, the valve on the active cylinder was opened while thevalve on the reserve cylinder was kept closed. When the gas in theactive cylinder became exhausted the valve on that cylinder was closedand the valve on the'reserve cylinder opened; The disadvantage of thissystem was that the customer had to go to the place where the cylinderswere housed, usually outside, and change the valves each time one of thecontainers became depleted. Sometimes, acontainer became depleted atnight or while the customer was not at home and the result was thatthere was a cessation in the gas supply and all pilot lights wereextinguished. Recently there have been developed various systemsequipped with s'o-called automatic valves, whereby upon the pressure inthe active.container becoming low, the vapor in' the reserve containerwill be drawn upon but the valve must be reset Other objects andadvantages of this invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description thereof, referencebeing had Figure 6 is adiagrammatic view of the same modification,

Figure 7 is a view in vertical section of a further modificatipn, andFigure8 is a diagrammatic view of a dispensing s'ystem.

Reference numeral [0 designates generally a casing which may be-made upof many parts but is shown in only two parts I l and I 2 for purposes ofsimplicity in illustration.

Between parts II and I2 a flexible diaphragm I3 is sealingly clamped.Diaphragm l3, including stifi'ening member I! is rigidly secured to atubular sleeve l5 by any desirable fastening means l6.

Casing I 0 is internally shaped at H and I 8 to receive snugly, butslidably, hollow sleeve at its extremities. The sliding connectionbetween hollow sleeve i5 and the casing at I? and 58 should be assealing as possible consistent with free motion of sleeve l5. As will bedescribed later, any slight gas leakage at this point is notconsequential. Casing l0 further presents valve chambers l9 and slidablyreceiving piston valves 2| and 22 which are spaced from the walls of thevalve chambers I9 and 20 by fins 23 which allow gas to blow past thevalves. It will be apparent that the-outlet sides of valves ,(2! and 22are exposed to a common pressure. Each valve having valve face 24coacting with a valve seat 25 on the casing is maintained in closedposition by a; elativelylight spring 26. Springs 26 at the op osite endfrom their contact'with valves 2| and 22 contact spring retainers 21which are identical. Spring retainers 21 have reduced portions 28slidably received by the same portions l1 and I8 of the casing whichreceive sleeve l5.

Spring retainers 21 also each have a channel 29 which slidably receivesintegral extensions 30 on sleeve l5. Spring retainers 21 in the reducedportions 28 further have a peripheral channel 3| having flattened guideportions 3 I (see Figure 2) which receives a closed ring 32 having anouttened portions 32 on ring 82 coacting with guide portions 8| of thechannel limit the ring to vertical movement. Integral extensions 80 onsleeve l5 have cut out portions 84 which include cam surfaces 85 whichon extreme movement of sleevelS engage ring 82 to bring it within theconfines of reduced portion 28 of the spring retainer. Gas passages 88and 81 connect the upstream side of valves 25 with the diaphragmchambers in the casing on separate sides of diaphragm l3. Passages 88and 81 terminate in check valves 88 and 89 which act to prevent gas in.the diaphragm chambers from returning into the gas passages. Bleederports 48 and 8| connect the diaphragm chambers with the interior of thehollow sleeve I5. A passage 42 connects the interior of the casing withthe utility or stage regulator, or if no first stage regulators are,used at the cylinder, the system regulator.

In the operation of the device the spring retainers 21 are moved by gaspressure difierential acting on diaphragm lit at the time a cylinderbecomes exhausted to bias the piston valve 2| and 22 nearest thatcylinder by compressing one of springs 26, along the lines shown inPatent 2,138,989 of R. W. Thomas and Charles Mac- Sporran; Ring 32 thenacts as a latch to hold that spring retainer in its biasing positionuntil there is again a pressure difierential operating on diaphragm iiiin the reverse direction at which time the opposite piston valveisbiased. The

cylinder nearest the piston valve thus biased will thus constitute thereserve cylinder.

- Specifically, with no cylinders connected to the device and with theparts in theposition shown in Figure 1, connection of a cylinder bymeans of a pigtail to the left hand side of casing l and with the gaspressure in the pigtail at ten pounds after reduction to that value bythe first stage regulator, a pressure differential of ten 2| wouldthereupon have a greater spring force exerted upon it than valve 22 andwhen a cylinder is later connected to the pigtail associated with theright hand side of the device, the ten pounds acting on valve 2| wouldfail to open the valve for the reasons set out in the above mentionedpatent. This same ten pounds, however, acting through passage 81 andcheck valve 88 would balance the pressure acting on the left hand sideof diaphragm l8 and restore the sleeve I to its original or intermediateposition. Right hand spring retainer 2I,'however, is prevented fromreturning to its original position by ring 82 which leaf spring 88 hasforced up into eccentric position where the edge of ring 82 will engagethe abutment in casing formed by the Junction of portionl1 and valvechamber l8. The right hand cylinder will thus be maintained in reservewhen the left hand cylinder is exhausted or freezes.

we will assume that valve 22 now causes a pressure drop of one poundwhereas biased valve 2| would cause a pressure drop of three pounds togas flowing past it. When the left hand cylinder becomes exhausted andthe pressure'therein and in the associated pigtail drops below tenpounds, the pressure in passage 88 will begin to drop below ten poundsand check valve 88 will close. The pressure at 42 which was nine poundsdue to the one pound pressure drop over valve 22 will drop until itreaches seven poimds at which time valve 2| will open and the gaspressure at 42 will remain at seven pounds. the pigtail associated withthe left hand cylinder has continued to drop, valve 22 will close. Thepressure in the righthand diaphragm chamber will be ten poundscorresponding to the pressure on the upstream side of valve 25. On theother hand the pressure in the left hand diaphragm chamber which was tenpounds will be dropping service line which may include the usual seconddue to leakage of gas through bleeder port 40. This leakage willcontinue until the pressure in the left hand diaphragm chamber reachesseven pounds, the pressure in the interior of sleeve l5. However,diaphragm I8 is so designed that the resulting three pound pressuredifferential will move sleeve l5 and the lefthand spring retainer 21 tothe left an extreme distance, limited if desired by contact of thespring retainer 21 with valve 22. Such extreme movement carries integralextension 88 on-the righthand side of sleeve l5 into contact with theassociated ring 82 and the cam surface 85 moves the ring so as tounlatch that spring retainer'and allow it to move to the left, removingthe bias from the associated valve spring 28. Bleeder ports 48 and 4|can be designed so that together with any leakage between sleeve l5 andthe casing there will be a time factor present in the building up of thepressure differential in order that in case I of freezing of the supplycylinder, it will have time enough to warm up and continue to act assupply cylinder with only a slight drain on the reserve. I

When the empty cylinder is removed from the left hand side of 'thedevice and a new cylinder connected, diaphragm l8 will once moreresumethe position shown in Figure l but leaving left hand spring retainer 21locked in spring biasing position so that the new cylinder will be inreserve.

It will be understood that the type of valves. latches, and otherelements shown are purely to complete an operative combination and anysuitable form of these elements may be substituted such as for examplesome form of valve having a lower pressure drop it than a piston valveor a simpler form of latch. Further, it will be seen that leakage pastsleeve II from the diaphragm chambers to the interior of the casin willnot be of consequence since the pressure actand will only be drawn uponas explained later (5 ing to cause this leakage is only a few pounds andmost important the gas thus leaking passes into the utilization conduitor if the leakage is in the reverse direction, is stopped by checkvalves 88. If a perfect seal can be set up between sleeve II and thecasing at l1. and I8 and still have sumcient movement as is done in theliquefied gas manual valves in the prior art, then check valves 88 and88 and bleeder ports 88 and 4| might, if desired, 'be omitted and thechangeover action would then-take place only when the empty cylinder isThis would Since the pressure in necessitate, of course, that no checkvalves be interposed in the pigtails or the first stage regulators.Extensions 30 are of such a length that extreme movement of sleeve Iwill not disengage the operative latch before the other latch is in itseccentric position. Thus the cam surface 35 is spaced out far enough onthe extension so that the spring retainer of the spring being compressedby spring I5 is moved past its initial latching position before theoperative latch is moved from its eccentric position to a positionwithin the boundaries of its spring retainer.

Figures 5 and 6 show an application of the general principles present inthe device shown in retainer II2 in the position shown, a pressure of 20pounds will be present in compartment I22 and gas at the pressure of 20pounds will be fed to the second stage pressure regulator I26, checkvalve I23 acting to prevent this pressure from going toward the othercylinder. When a full cylinder is connected to first stage regulatorI25,-

a pressure of 15 pounds will be present in conduit II8 to the left ofvalve I 23 which will remain closed and a pressure of 15 pounds will bepresent in compartment I20. Diaphragm IOI will be slightly to the leftof its intermediate position shown which will result in no pressurebeing applied to-spring II by spring retainer II2.

When the cylinder connected to casing I00 is depleted and the pressurein, compartment I22 drops below 15 pounds, check valve I24 will closeand check valve I23 will open and gas at 15 pounds pressure will be fedto the second stage regulator from the cylinder connected to regu-'--lator I25. Diaphragm ,IOI will substantially remain at intermediatepositions due to 15 pounds being present in compartment I20 andsubstanany other suitable valve I09. The lower end of ,slidably receivedby concentric support I I4. Dia-' phragm IOI has an element II5connected thereto for contacting spring retainer II2 to urge the sametoward diaphragm I02. A ring H6 in the tially 15 pounds in compartmentI22. Diaphragm I02 will be maintaining valve I09 in wide open position.Removal of the cylinder connected to casing I00 will allow the smallamount of gas in compartment I22 to go ofi through the open connectionand the 15 pounds pressure in compartment I20 will then by means ofdiaphragm IOI move spring retainer II2 to the right into its latchedposition where it will force spring III into engagement-with member IIOto act on dia- I phragm IM to approximately its intermediate reducedportion H3 and an extension III on element II5 act in the same manner asthe latch of 32 and extension 30 of Figures 1-4 inclusive.

A conduit H8 joins the usual first stage regulator I25 of an adjacentcylinder to the second stage regulator I26 of the system. This conduitII8 has a port II9 connected to the left hand .compartment I20 and apassage I2I connected to the middle compartment I22. A check valve I23is interposed in the conduit IIB between port H9 and passage I2I. Acheck valve I24 isinterposed in passage I2I.

In the operation of this modification it is assumed that the first stageregulator I25 on the adjacent cylinder is set for an output pressure of15 pounds. The tension of spring I05 is set so that with nocounteracting force exerted on member I III by spring I I I; apressureof 20 pounds in compartment I22 will close valve. I09 and any smallerpressure there will result in the valves being maintained open. In otherwords, diaphragm I02 and valve I09 will operate as a regulator with anoutput-pressure of 20 pounds. By means of member IIO the pressureexerted by spring III on spring retainer II2 in its extreme latchedright-hand position'will be such that the action of spring I 05 will becounterbalanced to the amount that a pressure of 10 pounds incompartment I22 will close valve I09. In this latter case, diaphragm I02and associated parts including valve I09 will-act as a regulator with anoutput pressure of 10 pounds.

Assuming that no cylinder is connected to the system, the connection ofa full cylinder by means of the connector I21 on casing I00, with springposition but spring retainer II2 will remain latched in its extremeright-hand position so that diaphragm- I02 and valve I09 will now beacting as a regulator with an output pressure of 10 pounds. Check valveI24 will of course stay closed since there is still 15 pounds pressurepresent in conduit II8.

When the cylinder connected to regulator I25 is depleted and thepressure in conduit II8 drops below 10 pounds, check valve I23 willclose and check valve I24 will open and gas will pass from compartment I22 to the second stage regulator.

With 10 pounds pressure in compartment I20 diaphragm IOI will remain atapproximately its intermediate position until the cylinder connected toregulator I25 is disconnectedand the small amount of gas in compartmentI22 and conduit II 8 to the left of check valve I23 will pass outthrough the regulator. Obviously no check valve should be used inregulator I25. The pressure in compartment I20 will then drop toatmospheric and the diaphragm IOI will move to its extreme left handposition in which position extension II'I operates to unlatch ring IISand diaphragm I02 and valve I09 will again be set to operate at 20pounds, thus completing the cycle. It will be observed that diaphragmIOI has minimum movement due to 5 pounds differential but its operatingmovement is dueto 10 or 15 pounds differential. Freezing" would be takencare of in this type changeover.

that the cylinder connected to casing I00 is sup-.

plying the gas and 15 pounds, the other cylinder. The casing I00 whichhas been shown quite supply gas through valve 2".

elongated to simplify the showing of the preferred forms of theelements, could be made not much larger nor more expensive than theusual regulator shown at I25. Any form of the elements shown would ofcourse be usable so long as the principles are followed;

It can be seen that the device shown in Figures 1-4 inclusive could beused in the present high pressure or even low pressure pigtail systemsby substituting diaphragm regulators for the piston valves 2| and 22,the diaphragms of which would be counterbalanced bysprings 26 in thesame manner as diaphragm I02 of Figure 5.

Such an arrangement is shown 'in Figure 7 wherein a casingis shown at200 divided into six compartments 20!, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, by threeflexible diaphragms 201, 208, 203, and two rigid partitions 2l0, 2. Aswill be apparent from further description, compartments 202 and 205areineffect one compartment and might be so constructed. The same istrue of compartments 20! and 206 which are open to the atmosphere andserve to protect the regulator diaphragms 201 and 209 in addition topositioning the usual regulator spring.adjusting mechanism 2|2. A gasinlet 2|3 connectable to one source of gas opens into compartment 203and .a second gas inlet 2 connectable with a second source of gas opensin compartment 204', each inlet being closed against reverse fiow bycheck valves 2l5. Regulator valves operable by diaphragms 201 and 209are shown at H6 and 2H respectively and are operatively associated withThe changeover devices of Figures 1-4 inclusive and '7 may be used in aliquefied gas dispensing system of the type shown in Figure 8 where twosources of supply of liquefied gas are shown as containers 300 and 3Mhaving. first stage regulators 302 and 303 detachably connected to thecontainers at 304, 305. A conduit 306 connects the output side of eachfirst stage regulator to the change-over device 301 the output side ofwhich is connected to the system or second stage regulator 308 inservice or utilization line 309. i

While I have herein described and illustrated three modifications of myinvention which are their respective diaphragms by stem members 223having reduced portions 224, channels 225 and 225, rings 221, andunlatching extensions 228. 'As in Figure 5 the spring retainers 223contactsprings'233 which counteract the effect of,

the regulator springs 234. A gas outlet connectable' to a gasutilization line is shown at 235.

The operation of this modification will be obvious from consideration ofits'similarity to the preceding modifications. With the parts in thepositions shown and the regulators including diahpragms 201 and 209 setto give equal pres-' sure on the outlet side of valves 2H5 and 2H,connection of a source of gas under pressure to inlet 213 will causediaphragm 208 to move to the right thereby increasing the degree ofcompression in right hand spring 233.. This in turn changes the settingof the regulator including diaphragm 209 and reduces the output pressureat which valve 2| 1 will operate. Due to the latching rings 221 the newsetting will be maintained when a source of gas is connected to inlet 2altho diaphragm 203 will move back-to an intermediate position. Sincethe left hand regulator is still set for the original pressure, gas willbe fed at this pressure to outlet 235. When the pressure of the sourceconnected to inlet 213 declinesto that of the output setting of theright hand regulator, the latter will begin to Check valve H5 incompartment 203 will prevent gas from flowingback through open valve 2l6of that compartment. At the time'valve 2" starts to supply gas, or ifdesired before this pointbut after the pressure of the source connectedto chamber 203 declines below the value set for the left hand regulator,the changeover will take place thru extreme movement of diaphragm 200.

tobe taken as preferred examples, it is to be understood that variouschanges may be made in size, shape, and arrangement of parts withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention as expressed in the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. A system for storing and utilizing liquefied gas comprising twocontainers for the gas, a service line for connection with gas consumingappliances, a gas withdrawal conduit connecting each container to theservice line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, the outletsides of the valves being exposed to a common pressure, valve operatingmeans associated with the valves to set the same so that one valveremains closed until a minimum operating pressure is reached on theoutlet side of the valves when said one valve opens, and gas pressureoperated means associated with the valve operating means to change thesetting so that the other valve remains closed until a minimum operatingpressure is reached when said other valve opens.

2. A system for storing and utilizing liquefied gas comprising twocontainers for the gas, a service line for connection with gas consumingappliances, a gas withdrawal conduit connecting each container to theservice line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, the outletsides of the valves being exposed to a common pressure, valve operatingmeans associated with the valves to set the same so that one valveremains closed until a minimum operating pressure is reached on theoutlet side of the valves when said one valve opens, gas pressureoperated means associated with the valve operating means to change thesetting so that the other valve re- 'mains closed until a minimumoperating pressure is reached when said other valve opens, and.

means for applying the differential of the pressures present in thewithdrawal conduits on the inlet side of the valves to the gas pressureoperated means to actuate the same. r

3. A system for storing and utilizing liquefied gas comprising twocontainers for the gas, a service line for connection with gas consumingappliances, a gas withdrawal conduit connecting each container to theservice line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, the outletsides of the valves being exposed to a common pressure, v'alve operatingmeans associated with the valves to set the same'so that onevalveremains closed until a operating pressure is reached on the outletside of the valves when said one valve opens, gas pressure operatedmeans associated with the valve operating means to change the setting sothat the other valve remains closed until a minimum operating pressureis 'reache'dwhen said other valve opens, means for applying thedifferential of the pressures present in the'withdrawal conduits on theinlet side of the valves to the gas pressure operated means to actuatethe-same, and latching means associated with the valve operating means;

to maintain the same in one setting.

4. A systemfor storing and utilizing liquefied gas comprising twocontainers for thegas, a serve of the valves being exposed to a commonpressure, valve operatin Aneans associated with the valves to set the sI "e so that one valve remains .closed until a minimum operatingpressure is reached on the outlet side of the valves when said one valveopens, gas pressure operated means associ-ated with the valve operatingmeans to change the setting so that the other valve remains closedmpresent on the inlet side of a valve to the gas pressure operated meansto actuate the same, and

latching means associated with the valve operating means to maintain thesame in one setting.

8. A system for storing and utilizing liquefied gas comprising twocontainers for the gas, a service line for connection with gas consumingappliances, a gas withdrawal conduit connecting each container to theservice line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, valveoperating means associated with the valves to set the same v so that onevalve remains closed until a until a minimum operating pressure isreached 5. A system for storing and utilizing liquefied g-as comprisingtwo containers for the gas, a service line for'connection with the gasconsuming appliances, a gas withdrawal conduit connecting each containerto the service line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, valveoperating means including a spring associated with each valve, and gaspressure operated means acting on said springs to change the influenceof a spring on its associated valve. v

6. A system for storing and utilizing liquefied gas comprising twocontainers for the gas, a service line for connection with gas consumingappliances, a gas jwithdrawal conduit connecting each container to theservice line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, the outletsides of the valves being exposed to a common pressure,

valve operating means associated with the valves to set the same so thatone. valve remains closed until a minimum operating pressureis reachedon the outlet side of the valves when said one valve opens, gas pressureoperated means associated with the valve operating means to change thesetting so that the other valve remains closed until a minimum operatingpressure is reached when said other valve opens, and means for applyingthediilerential of the pressure present on the outletside or the valvesand the pressure present on the inlet side of a valve to the gaspressure operated means to actuate the same.

"1. A system for storing and utilizing liquefied gas comprising twocontainers for. the gas,,a service line for connection with gasconsuming appliances, a gas withdrawal conduit connecting each containertothe service line, a valve controlling eacli withdrawal conduit, valveoperating means associated with the valves to set the same so that onevalve remains closed until a minimum operating pressure is reached onthe outlet side of the valves when said one valve opens, gas pressureoperated means associated with the valve operating means to changethesetting so that the other valve remains closed un til a minimumoperating pressure is. reached operating pressure is reached on .theoutlet side of the valves when said one valve opens, gas pressureoperated means associated with the valve operating means to change thesetting so that the other valve remains closed until a minimum operatingpressure is reached when-said other valve opens, means for applying'thedifferential of the pressure present on the outlet side of the valvesand the pressure present on the inlet side of a valve to the gaspressure operated means to actuate the same, latching means associatedwith the valve operating means to maintain the same in one setting, andunlatching means associated with the gas pressure operated means,operable on predetermined pressure differential to release the latchingmeans.

9. A system for storing and utilizing liquefied gas comprising twocontainers for the gas, a service line fonconnection to gas consumingappliances, conduits connecting the interior of the containers withtheservice line, a valve having ing in response to pressure differentialbetween conduits on the upstream side of the valves.

10. An automatic changeover device comprising a valve structure havingtwo inlets and an outlet, valves for the inlets, the outlet sides of thevalves being exposed as a common pressure,

valve operating means associated with the valves to set the same so thatone valve remains closed until a minimum operating pressure is reached 1on the outlet side of the valves when said one valve opens, and fluidpressure operated means associated with the valve operating means tochange the setting so that the other valve remains closed until aminimum operating pressure is reached when said other valve opens.

11. An automatic changeover device comprising a valve structure havingtwo inlets and an outlet, valves for the inlets, the outlet sides of thevalves being exposed to a common pressure, valve operating meansassociated with the valves to set the same so that one valve remainsclosed when said other valve opens, means for applying the'difierentialoi the 'pressure present on the outlet side 01' the valves and thepressure until a minimum operating pressure is reached on the outletside of the valves when said one valve opens, 'fiuid pressure operatingmeans associated with the valve operating means to change the setting sothatthe other valve remains closed untila operating pressureis reachedwhen said other valve opens, and means for'applying'the differential o!the pressures present in the withdrawal conduits on the. inlet side ofthe valves to the fluid pressure operated mea to actuate the same.

.l2.-An automatic changeover device comprising a valve structure havingtwo inlets and an outlet, valves for the inlets, valve operating meansassociated with the valves to set'the same so that one valve remainsclosed until a minimum operating pressure is reached on the outlet sideof the valves when said one valve opens, fluid pressure operated -meansassociated .with the valve operating means to change the setting so thatthe other valve remains closed until a minimum operating pressure isreached when a said other valve opens, means for applying thediflerential of the pressures present in the withdrawal conduits on theinlet side of 'the valves to the fluid pressure operated means toactuate the sameyand latching means associated with the valve operatingmeans to maintain the same in one setting.

13. An automatic changeover device comprising a valve structure havingtwo inlets and an outlet, valves for the inlets, valve operating meansassociated with the valves to set the same so that one valve remainsclosed until a minimum operating pressure is reached on the outlet sideof the valves when said one valve opens, gas

pressure operated means associated with the valve operating means tochange the setting so that the other valve remains closed until aminimum operating pressure is reached when said other valve opens, meansfor applying the difierential of the pressures present in the withdrawalconduits on the inlet side of the valves to the gas pressure operatedmeans to actuate the same, latching means associated with the valveoperating means to maintain the same in one setting, and unlatchingmeans associated with the gas pressure operated means, operable onpredetermined pressurediii'erential to release the latching means.

""14. An automatic changeover device comprising a valve structure havingtwo inlets and an outlet, valves for. the inlets, valve operating sideof the valves and-the pressure present on the inlet side of a valve tothe gas pressure operated means to actuate-the same, and latching meansassociated with the valve operating means to maintain the same in onesetting.

17. An automatic changeover device comprising a-valve structure havingtwo inlets and an outlet, valves -for the inlets, valve operating meansassociated with the valves to set the same means including a springassociated with each 1 valve, and fluid pressure operated means actingon said springs to change the influence of a spring on its associatedvalve.

15. An automatic changeover device comprising a valve structure havingtwo inlets and an outlet, valves for the inlets, the outlet sides ofuntil a minimum-operating pressure is reached when said other valveopens, and means for applying the difierential of the pressure presenton the outlet side of the valves and the pressure present on the inletside of a valve to the gas pressure operated means to actuate the same.

16. An automatic changeover device comprising a valve structure havingtwo inlets and an outlet,, valves for the inlets, v alve operating meansassociated with the valves to set the same so that one valveremainsclosed until amini- K mum operating pressure is reached on theoutlet side of the valves when said one valve opens, gas

pressure operated means associated'with the value of output pressure ofthe other regulator valve operating means to change the setting so thatthe other valve remains closed until a minimum operating pressure isreached when said other valve opens; means for applying the difso thatone valve remains closed until a minimum operating pressure is reachedon the outlet side of the valves when said one valve opens, gas pressureoperated means associated with the valve operating means to change thesetting so that the other valve remains closed until a minimum operatingpressure is reached when said other valve opens, means for applying thedifferential of the pressure present on the outlet side of the valvesand the pressure present on the inlet side of a valve to the gaspressure operated means to actuate the same, latching means associatedwith the valve operating means to maintain the same in one setting, andunlatching means associated with the gas pressure operated means,operable on predetermined pressure differential'to release the latchingmeans.

18. A system for storing and utilizing liquefied gas comprising twocontainers for the gas, a service line for connection with gas consumingappliances, a gas withdrawal conduit connecting each container to theservice line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, one valvebeing a check type valve opening in direction of the pressure from itsassociated container, valve operating means associated with the othervalve set to control its output pressure, and gas pressure operatedmeans associated with the valve operating means to change the setting ofthe same and thus the output pressure of the other valve. i

19. A system for storing and utilizing liquefied gas-comprising twocontainers for the gas, a service line for connection with gas consumingappliances, a gas withdrawal conduit connecting each container to theservice line, a valve controlling each withdrawal conduit, onevalvebeing a check type valve opening in direction of the pressure from itsassociated container, valve operating means associated with the othervalve set to control its output pressure, gas presure operated meansassociated with the valve operating means to change the setting of thesame and thus the output pressure of the other valve, and the operatingpressure in the conduit controlled by the check type valve being greaterthan one output pressure of the other valve and smaller than the otheroutput pressure of the other valve.

20. A system for storing and utilizinghigh pressure gas comprising twocontainers for the gas, a service line for connection with gas consumingappliances, a gas withdrawal conduit connecting each container to theservice line, a

gas pressure regulator associated with each conduit for controlling thepressure of the gas de-,

livered to the service line, one gas pressure regulator having aconstant output pressure, ad- Justment means associated with the otherregulator to change the output pressure of the same from low to a highvalue and vice versa, the low being lower than,said constant outputpressure and the high valueoi' output pressure of the other regulatorbeing above said constant output ferential of the pressure present onthe outlet pressure.

21. An automatic changeover device comprising a valve structure havingtwo inlets and an outlet, valves for the inlets, one valve being a checktype valve opening in direction of the pressure from its associatedcontainer, valve operating means associated with the other valve set tocontrol its output pressure, and-fluid pressure operated meansassociated with the valve operating means to change the setting of thesame and thus the output pressure of the other valve.

22. An automatic changeover device comprising a valve structure havingtwo inlets and an outlet, valves for the inlets, one valve being a checktype valve opening in direction of the pressure from its associatedcontainer, valve operating means associated with the other valve set tocontrol its output pressure, fluid pressure operated means associatedwith the valve operating means to change the setting of the same andthus the output pressure of the other valve, and the operating pressurein the conduit controlled by the checktype valve being greater than oneoutput pressure of the other valve and smaller than the other outputpressure of the other valve.

23. An automatic changeover device comprising a pair of conduits, avalve controlling one conduit, a. valve operating member for actuatingthe valve, adjustment means associated with the valve operating member,latching means-associated with the valve operating member to maintainthe same in one position, and unlatching means associated with theadjustment means to release the latching means.

24. A system for storing and utilizing high pressure gas comprising twocontainers for the gas', a service line for connection with gasconsuming appliances, a gas withdrawal conduit connecting each containerto the service line,

JAMES J. SHANLEY.

